Mountain Biking

KarlM · Apr 22, 2011

Anyone like to ride?

I havent been on a bike for years, went out with a mate yesterday for a 18 Mile ride.

Bit sore today lol.

What bike have you got?

Karl

alex · Apr 22, 2011

During the summer I try to do a lap of Rutland Water at least once a week, always good fun and a good way to keep fit.

Well done for managing 18 miles after such a long time, the trick is to keep it up and it'll get easier with less pain. Where did you cycle?

Rutland Water is fairly flat with a few hills, 17 miles takes about an hour and 20 minutes, but this summer I'm hoping to get that down by 10 minutes. There's also a slightly longer course at 24 miles - well worth it for anyone in the area.

I have a Specialized cross country/mountain bike, but I'm not sure of the model, Hardrock pro disc rings a bell, but I've had it a good few years.

If anyone fancies a meet and cycle at Rutland Water this summer give me a shout.

KarlM · Apr 22, 2011

Nice mate that sounds like a good route,

I just went on a trailway so quite an easy ride really.

I'm looking at getting a specalized they are supposed to be good bikes?

My mate has a commencal cost him 2k it's a great ride.

alex · Apr 23, 2011

Mine was recommended to me and I'm very happy with it so I can also recommend Specialized. So it's definitely something you plan to continue?

I have some friends who are semi-professional cyclists, they used to be professional and cycled for England and the Dominican Republic. They get free/loan bikes as part of the team they are on. One includes a £6k road bike which I've had a go on. I can safely say that I'll never have one, but they are fantastic bikes.

They're always pushing me which is good, but one of them did Rutland water in 45 minutes so a huge target to aim for. My biggest competition is my brother who started cycling after me, but beat my lap time at 1 hour and 9 minutes. He's also done 100km in a day, compared to my 50km, so this summer I'm aiming to build up to do 100 miles. Given that it's cross country and not road that's quite a big target. My semi-pro friends regularly does that within a few hours on his road bike, but says he couldn't do it at Rutland Water.

I hope you keep it up.

KarlM · Apr 23, 2011

Wow that's one expensive bike lol,

Yep I want to get in shape and don't enjoy running, I love biking though and want to keep it up.

I'm just looking at second hand bikes on eBay as I'm to tight to buy new haha.

Do you have a on board computer to track speed, distance they look handy.

alex · Apr 23, 2011

If you get one get a wired rather than wireless. I bought a wireless and it's useless! sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. As I tend to do the same few routes I know distance, I have a watch so can keep track of time, thus I know speed. If you want one then fair enough they can be quite useful, but having bought one that doesn't always work I realise I don't actually need one.

fish · Apr 24, 2011

karlm said:
Wow that's one expensive bike lol,

Yep I want to get in shape and don't enjoy running, I love biking though and want to keep it up.

I'm just looking at second hand bikes on eBay as I'm to tight to buy new haha.

Do you have a on board computer to track speed, distance they look handy.

In my day we had a little click counter attached to the fork that would tell you the distance travelled, you could then work out an average speed if you timed the ride

Good luck with the cycling, its a great way to enjoy our country and keep fit at the same time

mally · Apr 24, 2011

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I hope to add a forum in the future if your interested in joining just let me know cheers mally

theaffiliate · Apr 24, 2011

Got back in to mountain biking last year after originally losing interest quite a while back. Much more fun than running.

Good idea browsing eBay as there are always nearly new bargains on there which have hardly been used. Ended up getting myself a Carrera Fury as the reviews/spec looked good value for the price (only sold by Halfords though so brand snobs won't be keen!

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